Food mixing machine and agitator therefor

Abstract

A food mixer ( 10 ) includes a rotatable shaft ( 18 ) which is connected to the shaft ( 21 ) of an agitator ( 20 ). The agitator ( 20 ) includes an upper disk ( 23 ) attached to the shaft ( 21 ) and a lower disk ( 28 ). Slat walls ( 27, 29 ) extend from the upper disk ( 23 ) to the lower disk ( 22 ) and slat walls ( 27, 29 ) are curved so as to together forming a parabolic ring. A central blade ( 33 ) extends from the upper disk ( 23 ) to the lower disk ( 28 ) between the slat walls ( 27, 29 ). Both the upper and lower disks ( 23, 28 ) are circular and are curved upwardly in one direction and curved downwardly in a direction transverse to the one direction.

1. An agitator adapted to be attached to a rotatable shaft of a food mixer comprising a shaft adapted to be attached to the rotatable shaft, a first disk carried by said shaft, a second disk, slat walls between said first disk and said second disk, said slat walls together forming a generally parabolic ring, and a blade extending from said first disk to said second disk, said blade having a generally parabolic-shaped face. 
   
   
     2. The agitator of  claim 1  wherein said slat walls are curved and opposed to each other. 
   
   
     3. The agitator of  claim 1  wherein said blade is between said slat walls and said face faces said slat walls. 
   
   
     4. The agitator of  claim 1  further comprising a hub on said face. 
   
   
     5. An agitator adapted to be attached to a rotatable shaft of a food mixer comprising a shaft adapted to be attached to the rotatable shaft, a first disk carried by said shaft, said first disk being generally circular and being curved upwardly in one direction and curved downwardly in a direction transverse to said one direction, a second disk, and slat walls between said first disk and said second disk, said slat walls together forming a generally parabolic ring. 
   
   
     6. The agitator of  claim 5  wherein said second disk is generally circular and is curved upwardly in one direction and curved downwardly in a direction transverse to said one direction. 
   
   
     7. An agitator adapted to be attached to a rotatable shaft of a food mixer comprising a generally circular first disk curved upwardly in one direction and curved downwardly in a direction transverse to said one direction, a second disk, and a blade having a generally parabolic-shaped face positioned between said first disk and said second disk. 
   
   
     8. The agitator of  claim 7  further comprising a first slat wall positioned between said first disk and said second disk, and a second slat wall positioned between said first disk and said second disk and opposed to said first slat wall. 
   
   
     9. The agitator of  claim 8  wherein said slat walls are curved and together form a parabolic ring. 
   
   
     10. The agitator of  claim 7  wherein said second disk is generally circular and is curved upwardly in one direction and curved downwardly in a direction transverse to said one direction. 
   
   
     11. An agitator adapted to be attached to a rotatable shaft of a food mixer comprising a shaft adapted to be attached to the rotatable shaft, a first disk carried by said shaft, a second disk, and means to carry said second disk spaced from said first disk, each said disk being generally circular and curved upwardly in one direction and downwardly in a direction transverse to said one direction. 
   
   
     12. The agitator of  claim 11  wherein said means to carry includes slat walls extending between said first disk and said second disk, said slat walls together forming a parabolic ring. 
   
   
     13. The agitator of  claim 11  wherein said means to carry includes a blade having a generally parabolic-shaped face extending between said first disk and said second disk. 
   
   
     14. A food mixer comprising a rotatable shaft and an agitator; said agitator having a shaft carried by said rotatable shaft, a first disk carried by said shaft, a second disk, slat walls between said first disk and said second disk, said slat walls being curved so as together forming a generally parabolic ring, and a blade extending from said first disk to said second disk between said slat walls, said blade having a generally parabolic face. 
   
   
     15. A food mixer comprising a rotatable shaft and an agitator; said agitator having a shaft carried by said rotatable shaft, a generally circular first disk carried by said shaft and curved upwardly in one direction and curved downwardly in a direction transverse to said one direction, a second disk, and slat walls between said first disk and said second disk, said slat walls being curved so as together forming a generally parabolic ring. 
   
   
     16. A food mixer comprising a rotatable shaft and an agitator; said agitator having a shaft carried by said rotatable shaft, a first disk carried by said shaft, a generally circular second disk, curved upwardly in one direction and curved downwardly in a direction transverse to said one direction and slat walls between said first disk and said second disk, said slat walls being curved so as together forming a generally parabolic ring.